The Path of Service (Ram Dass, 1992)

[madali]

The Path of Service (Ram Dass, 1992)

It is difficult reviewing some of the audiobooks I listen to. This is mainly when it comes to the tapes that have so much fluff in them. But I want to review them anyway, because else after two weeks, I would not know I have even listened to them.

Of course, more importantly, why do I listen to such tapes? I listen to something like “The Path of Service” by Ram Dass, and don’t do anything but attack it. It is yet another tape, among millions, about a quote spiritual unquote guru sounding extremely positive and New Age-y and teaching nothing useful. Why do I put myself through it?

Because I am looking for SOMETHING. And I plow my way through film, music, books, and audiotapes, trying to find whatever I’m looking for. And I figure if I can even take 2% out of these crap lectures, it is still worthwhile. I usually listen to them in the car, and I figure car time is going to waste anyway. Instead of listening to the radio with some DJ introducing some crap music, I’ll try these random junk, and hope I learn something. If nothing else, it makes me feel like I would one day be able to turn into a guru myself.

The good thing about “The Path of Service” is that the anecdotes are not bad and Ram Dass is an entertaining enough speaker. The bad part of course is everything else. The guy used to be a Jewish Professor in the 60s called Richard Alpert. But that was the 60s so after some LSD and visiting India, he changed his name to Ram Dass. And in this tape, he talks about some vague notions of something or the other, and then he does meditation with the audience (worst part of the tape) and ends with a Q and A answer, with some crappy questions from the audience.

2/5

[X.]

...I’ll try these random junk, and hope I learn something. If nothing else, it makes me feel like I would one day be able to turn into a guru myself.

Ha ha ha! If you ask me, the only ability I wish to have is to make any woman fall in and out of love with me, at a moment's whim. Then I will be happy. If Ram Dass can't teach me this, then he can fuck himself.

[X.]

I also sometimes wish for the ability/courage/clarity to end my life, and be able to come back to life, if I so wished. Can Ram Dass help at all, you think? He can't? Well, what good is this fucker!

[madali]

I have a lot to say, and I want people to pay for the privileged of listening to it.